If the man's make-up held a large amount of deliberate criminality, of cold and unscrupulous evil, it also held a large amount of strength and resolute3 purpose. Otherwise, Buck could never have remained the leader of such men as followed him.
And on this bright and sunny morning Templeton Buck was facing the hardest battle he had ever faced—a battle with himself.
On the previous night he had learned of the disaster which had overwhelmed all his craftily4 laid plans. True, he had Jake Harper a prisoner, tied into the big chair before the fireplace. But Robinson had turned out to be Sam Fisher—and the roads were watched by the Circle Bar men.
The story told by the two men on the previous night had been utterly5 incredible, but with daylight it had been backed up when Sandy Davitt undertook to ride forth6. Sandy's horse had been killed under him. No one else tried to leave the Running Dog buildings.
Here in the living room of the ranch7 house, alone with the old man tied into the chair, Buck paced up and down, fighting out his battle. Would he lie to his men, or tell them the truth? That was it.
From the chair old Jake Harper watched him with terrible, intent eyes.
"Give me your word to act gentle, and I'll loose you, Jake," said Buck.
"I'll give you my word," said Jake, his voice deadly, "that all I want is to git my hands on a gun, and I'll fill ye full o' lead, ye mis'able coyote!"
So Jake Harper remained where he was. Buck continued his steady pacing back and forth, then suddenly came to a pause before his captive and shot out a remark:
Jake Harper swore at him angrily.
"Where you done made your mistake, Buck, was in tryin' to covet9 the Shumway place. You stole the Lazy S cattle, and you should ha' stopped there."
Silence again. Buck went on with his uneasy stride. It was a difficult decision which faced him.
At this moment, while he stood on the brink10 of disaster, Templeton Buck for the first time saw clearly how things had come to this pass. He was rich in money and land. He did not need the Shumway land added to his own. He was powerful.
Being rich and powerful, he had thought himself secure, had determined11 to get both Stella and the Lazy S, and had been careless as to his methods. Back in the old days, when Frank Shumway had knocked him down, he had revenged himself by sending young Shumway to the penitentiary12—deliberately framing him.
He had not stopped there. One thing had led to another—little things, most of them. Like a rolling snowball, the affair had gained impetus13. The one man Buck had feared was Sam Fisher, the sheriff of Pecos, and he had tried desperately14 to keep Fisher out of the way. Even now, he perceived, Fisher was the one man who threatened him.
If he could only be rid of Fisher! With Fisher out of the way all would yet be well. The murder of Cervantes could be met and faced down; with Sheriff Tracy handling the affair, no jury in the county would dare to convict Buck. Jake Harper could be held a prisoner until the mortgage was foreclosed. Lies and false witnesses would still serve to smooth the way.
Buck strode from the room, left the building, and passed over to the corrals. Here his entire outfit15 was lounging about as though waiting for his coming. Not until he met their nods and greetings did Buck come to a full decision as to what he would do.
For, as yet, these punchers knew nothing of the Cervantes killing beyond what had been reported from town. None of them had witnessed it. All of them, beyond a doubt, held strong suspicions. It had been a despicable act, even in their eyes.
Buck came to a halt, beckoned16 to the men, and met their curious stares with a flame of resolution in his eyes.
"Boys," he said quietly, "the story that Sam Fisher told in town was true. Steve Arnold must have seen the killing of Cervantes. We could have made it stick on Fisher, at that, if he hadn't been too smart for me."
Every man there appreciated what this confession17 meant to Buck.
"Now, boys," went on the rancher, "Sam Fisher is no fool. As things stand right now, he's playin' a strong game and a winnin' game. He's got us blockaded here, and the only thing left for me is to take my med'cine without a whine18. I aim to do it. Still, that's no reason for draggin' you boys into the same noose19, so I'm here to give each of you his time. You ain't workin' for me no more."
An outburst of protest was quieted by Buck's uplifted hand, in which was a roll of bills.
"Sandy Davitt! Come an' git it, puncher."
Davitt stepped up, started to speak, reddened, and checked the words. He took the money placed in his hand, and waited. One by one the other Running Dog men stepped up to Buck and received their wages. When it was finished Buck smiled thinly.
"Now, I reckon, you-all can git past the Circle Bar men."
Nobody moved. Of the eleven men who stood there in the sunlight around the tall figure of Templeton Buck, none budged20. Sandy Davitt glanced around, hitched21 up his belt, and grinned at the rancher. His cast eye gave the grin a baleful aspect.
"Buck," he said, "I opine we ain't workin' for you no more. Is that c'rect?"
"You said it, Sandy."
"Then, far as I'm concerned, I don't give a durn about Cervantes. You've spoke22 out to us like a man, Buck, and by thunder I'm stickin' right here!"
"And me!" chimed in a voice. Then a chorus: "Me, too! We stays here, Buck!"
Buck stood in silence a long moment, his thin, high-boned features flushed darkly. It was a magnificent tribute these men paid him—a tribute of which he was unworthy. To the last one they were men; reckless, scoundrelly if you like, but men unafraid.
"Ain't none of you ridin' to town?" asked Buck.
"I appreciate this, boys; I sure do!" Buck's tall figure straightened up. "Well, I give you the worst end of the talk on the start. It's true that Sam Fisher is playin' a winning hand so far, but he ain't raked in the pot by a long sight! He's bluffed25 out Tracy, and he's got Pahrump buffaloed—but all he's got behind him is the Circle Bar, and we've got Jake Harper here. That means we got to wipe out Sam Fisher to win the pot!"
"And Steve Arnold," corrected Davitt. Buck nodded.
"Yep. Them two, y' understand. They're over to the Lazy S, as I get it, while Harper's bunch has us held up here. Also, we can't afford to drop Fisher when, he comes to arrest me; it'd look too much like he was killed in the performance of his duty, y' understand? We want to fix it so nobody won't know jest what happened. Do you foller me?"
"You bet!" came the admiring response. "How ye goin' to work it?"
Buck was silent for a moment, his eyes searching the surrounding country. Not a sign of the Circle Bar men was in evidence, but well he knew that they were waiting, grimly hidden.
Almost any man, given the opportunity, will shoot rather than be sent to the penitentiary, and Buck was now perfectly27 cool and steady in his resolute air. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose, and a single bold, well-planned stroke might yet save him from the brink of disaster.
"Twelve of us," he murmured. "We might work it! How many horses in the corral, Sandy?"
"Close to thirty," returned Davitt at once.
"And the Circle Bar lays right up the valley from the Lazy S. Anybody at Shumway's would be sure to see the Circle Bar if she was burnin', I guess?"
Davitt straightened up in surprise.
"Certain, Buck, certain! They'd see the smoke sure. But how ye goin' to reach the Circle Bar to fire her?"
Buck smiled weakly. "That's the easiest part of it, Sandy. This here Sam Fisher, he never wants no crowd; it's always a lone-hand play with him. If him and Arnold seen the smoke from the Circle Bar, what'd they do?"
"Light out to investigate where we were," was the response. "They'd know we'd got away from here and was busy. And they'd come a-smokin'."
"Exactly, Sandy," was Buck's triumphant28 return. "Jest what I figger my ownself."
"But how in time are we goin' to git away from here?"
Buck laughed and clapped his ex-foreman on the shoulder.
"Jest ride, cowboy, ride!" he exclaimed. "All right, boys; rustle29 up some grub and git saddled. Bring out every hoss in the corral, rope 'em together, and wait. Saddle an extry hoss for Jake Harper. Sandy, come along and give me a hand with Jake."
Comprehending, at least in part, the bold scheme which Buck planned, the men leaped into action.
Thirteen of the horses were saddled, the others were hastily strung together; rifles were booted, packets of grub made up, canteens filled. By the time the punchers were mounted they had not long to wait; Sandy Davitt and Buck appeared, shoving forward the figure of old Jake Harper, hands firmly bound behind his back. They could not bind30 his tongue, however, and he cursed the entire gang with vitriolic31 emphasis as he came. The hearers smiled and grinned, making no response.
"Climb or we boosts you, Jake," said Buck, reaching the spare saddle.
The boost was necessary, and was given; following which the old scout32 was firmly lashed33 in the saddle. At Buck's orders a reata was put about his neck, the loose end of which Buck took over when he had mounted. Then, revolver in hand, Buck gave the word to ride north.
"Take it easy, boys," he ordered. "No hurry."
His strategy became only too apparent to friend and foe34 alike. Any shots from ambush35 would draw an instant bullet into the body of Jake Harper; the menace of the rope and Buck's drawn36 revolver were entirely37 obvious.
Buck himself rode in the van, Jake Harper a little in front. Behind, the Running Dog men spread out, the extra horses crowding up in the rear. As they wound out on the way, Jake Harper perceived how he was being used, and he sent a booming roar of command at the empty spaces around, where he knew his men were hidden.
"Fire into 'em, boys! Shoot! Don't ye mind me! Shoot!"
No response was made. None could be made; the Circle Bar outfit dared not call the silent bluff26 that Buck was running. Well they knew that the bluff would be backed up.
Without a shot being fired, without an enemy being sighted, the Running Dog men rode off in peace. After them, undoubtedly38, would trail Harper's men, but it would take some time for the latter to collect and follow.
Immediately upon reaching the highway, Buck halted and lifted a hand.
"I want two of you boys to take all the spare hosses and ride on to the Circle Bar. Fire her, barns and all, and kill your beasts gettin' there. It's got to be done quick. Harper's outfit will likely foller your trail. Four stays here to hold 'em up half an hour, no more. The rest goes with me."
Two of the men at once gathered in the lines of the spare horses, waved an adios, and went north at a gallop39. To the four who announced themselves as ready to hold up the pursuit, Buck gave a few brief words.
"No killin' if ye can help it. Shoot the hosses. Then make your get-away to town and wait for news. If I win I'll join ye there to-night. If not, then beat it into Laredo County and lay low. Good luck to ye, boys!"
Five men with him, besides their captive, Buck turned from the road and led the way toward the hills.
Old Jake Harper cursed luridly41 as he perceived the really admirable strategy that was under way, although its object was hidden from him. When the Circle Bar came up, they would be delayed appreciably42 by the four men. When at last left free to take the trail, they would naturally follow that left by the largest number of horses, leading toward their home ranch. And in the meantime Buck would be somewhere else.
"What's the big idea, Buck?" asked Sandy Davitt, riding at the rancher's stirrup. "Where we off for?"
"Git through the hills, hit the valley trail beyond, and lay up," said Buck with a grin. "Sam Fisher and Arnold are bound to come that way from the Lazy S when they see the smoke, ain't they?"
"Whoop-ee! Buck, you sure wins the deal! And while we gathers in the sheriff o' Pecos and his pal45, the Circle Bar outfit is millin' around tryin' to find out what's done happened, eh?"
"Somethin' like that, Sandy," and Buck grinned confidently.
Jake Harper fell silent from sheer desperation.
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1
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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3
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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craftily
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| 狡猾地，狡诈地 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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12
penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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13
impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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16
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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18
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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19
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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20
budged
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| v.（使）稍微移动( budge的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）改变主意，（使）让步 | |
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21
hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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22
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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23
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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24
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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25
bluffed
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| 以假象欺骗，吹牛( bluff的过去式和过去分词 )； 以虚张声势找出或达成 | |
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26
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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27
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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28
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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29
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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30
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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31
vitriolic
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| adj.硫酸的，尖刻的 | |
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32
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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33
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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34
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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35
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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36
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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37
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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38
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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39
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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40
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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41
luridly
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| adv. 青灰色的(苍白的, 深浓色的, 火焰等火红的) | |
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42
appreciably
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| adv.相当大地 | |
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43
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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44
guffaw
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| n.哄笑；突然的大笑 | |
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45
pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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